Honda's FCV concept car is headed to Detroit -- but not yet to American highways

Joining an increasingly crowded field of automakers producing zero-emissions alternative fuel vehicles, Honda's FCV hydrogen-powered concept car is to make its U.S. debut at the January North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The long-in-the-works fuel cell vehicle, unveiled last month in Japan, is the next progression in the company's FCX and FCX Clarity cars.

Honda says the car features a lower, wider, more aerodynamic body, with a roomier interior than the Clarity -- roomy enough to seat five passengers.

The company says it has a range of more than 300 miles.

Though it's still a concept vehicle, Honda has said a production version of the car could be available in Japan as early as March 2016, then in Europe and the United States shortly afterward

That company hasn't said what it will cost. Similar vehicles have price tags in the $60,000 range, before government rebates that are common for alternative fuel vehicles.

Even Toyota Motor Corp., maker of the popular Prius gas-electric hybrid, will use hydrogen instead of batteries to power its next generation...

(Charles Fleming)

Honda joins rivals Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen in the hydrogen segment. The companies all have cars on the market or coming to dealerships soon -- with Toyota and Hyundai already producing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for U.S. consumers.

Toyota's Mirai, to be released as a 2016 model, is expected to retail for the equivalent of about $60,000 when it goes on sale in Japan, where it will qualify for a $20,000 government rebate. It is expected to retail for a similar amount in the U.S.

Hyundai Motor Co. rolled out the first 15 of its hydrogen-powered ix35 sport utility vehicles headed to Copenhagen this week. But part of the news for U.S. drivers interested in the technology was the fact that the event was in Europe and not here.

The reason could be summed up in one word: infrastructure....

Hyundai Motor Co. rolled out the first 15 of its hydrogen-powered ix35 sport utility vehicles headed to Copenhagen this week. But part of the news for U.S. drivers interested in the technology was the fact that the event was in Europe and not here.

The reason could be summed up in one word: infrastructure....

(Ronald D. White)

The vehicles all face an infrastructure dilemma, though. An example: To date, there are only 11 hydrogen fueling stations in California, though that number could increase to 40 stations within a year.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles employ an electric motor, similar to the electric motors used in battery electric vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles. They typically have range similar to gas-powered vehicles, and like those vehicles can be refueled in three to five minutes.